WASHINGTON: President George W. Bush and Undersecretary of State Nicholas Burns have urged Congress to approve a landmark plan to share nuclear technology with India — a deal that could be a tough sell to lawmakers.

"India can be trusted," Mr. Burns said.

Mr. Bush said India has proved itself over 30 years to be a non-proliferator.

"It's in our interest that India use nuclear power to power their economic growth because ... there's a global connection between demand for fossil fuels elsewhere and price here," he said on Wednesday in West Virginia, where he made remarks on Iraq and the war on terror.

Critics, including former Senator Sam Nunn, are sceptical of the recent agreement reached by Mr. Bush and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.

It requires Congress to exempt India from U.S. laws that restrict trade with countries that have not submitted to full nuclear inspections.

Concerns

Among concerns raised by Mr. Nunn, who played a leading role on military issues in Congress, were that the agreement would promote a regional arms race with China and Pakistan and make it more difficult for the United States to win support for sanctions against countries such as Iran and North Korea.

Better off

Mr. Burns said "we take his views very seriously." But, he told a news conference, "we're far better off" having India submit to supervision under the agreement than having it isolated.

"India is a country that does not proliferate. We are going to make a convincing case," he said.

Legislation

Legislation to implement the plan was introduced last week. Mr. Burns said Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice would testify in support of the measure.

Also, two Assistant Secretaries of State, Richard Boucher and Stephen Rademaker, were sent to Vienna to promote the plan with the Nuclear Suppliers Group, an assembly of 35 nations that export nuclear technology.

International verification

"India is accepting international verification," he said.

"India is accepting international inspection. Who can argue with that?"

He said the agreement reflects "the emergence of a new global partnership between India and the United States."

Mr. Burns said it should cause no problem with Pakistan, traditionally a rival of India, and that the United States maintains good, although different, relations with Pakistan.

AP

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